Things to Know Before Pursuing a Yoga Teaching Course
Anyone can learn yoga but teaching yoga is not for everyone. It involves lot of commitment, rigour and most importantly deep desire to become a yoga teacher. Many yoga enthusiasts inadvertently believe that just by taking up yoga teacher training in India they will become successful teachers. Unfortunately, the place doesn’t decide the qualification and quality of a yoga teacher. To become a certified yoga instructor, you need to find the right course, most suited to you and then look for a teacher who can make you learn the course. The real purpose of teaching Yoga is not to make money but to do a soul satisfying job; although the money also comes along. 
In theory, to become a teacher you need to get acquainted with yoga first if you are not a practitioner already; and then take up at least 200 hour yoga teacher training course under an experienced teacher. But in reality a lot more goes into becoming a yoga teacher.
Below are 6 steps that will help you in becoming a successful yoga teacher
1. Have a reason to become a teacher:
As mentioned above, Yoga demands lot of grit, commitment and discipline. If your decision is based on a passing fad or some whims, it won’t be able to last long. Also, remember that not all yoga experts become yoga teachers - teaching cannot be the outcome of expertise alone. Become a teacher, only if you truly believe that you should become one.
2. Choose a Course:
Yoga has diverse styles - Iyengar, bikram, and vinyasana and even many blended and hybrid styles. To become a teacher you should pick one or two styles and build your expertise. Choose a style which matches your personality. Once you zero in on the style it will much easier for you to go to next step that of finding the right teacher.
3. Find the right teacher:
As mentioned earlier, coming to India alone will not suffice although it has its benefits; the real thing is to find the right teacher irrespective of place. India is the birthplace of yoga and some teachers here even have the knowledge handed down to them by the gurus of this great knowledge. But an important point to keep in mind is that it’s the teacher who is most important. Find the right teacher, who can stir up your inner senses.
4. Plan for the course:
A 200 hour course takes a minimum of a month and 500 hour course takes much longer. Plan you course when you can take time off from your work easily. Most yoga institutes and retreats offer courses through the year, making it easier to select a convenient time. Plan your financials not only for the course and the travel but also for helping you sail through for sometime after you come back.
5. Test the waters- do some teaching:
Many yoga enthusiasts go ahead and start teaching as soon as they complete the 200 hour course. While you will need more in depth knowledge to teach at serious level but there is no harm in taking local classes or teaching friends after the initial course. It gives you the opportunity to explore the realms of yoga teaching and helps you decide whether you want to pursue it further. If you really enjoy it, you can come back and take up longer study.
6. Make a niche for yourself in Yoga
Once you take your courses and become a certified yoga instructor, it’s time to establish your practice. Think of an area of expertise that you can develop and market - it could be a unique style of teaching or it could be addressing the needs of a specific group say athletes or students. You need to have something to make people coming back to you and to spread the word about your practice. 
There are many places in India offering certified yoga instructor training - most popular ones being yoga retreats in Goa, Dharmashala and Rishikesh. All these cities have one thing in common - their serene and spiritual environment fit for learning this great knowledge. If you intend to come to India to take a yoga course you can pick up one of these cities.